Course Descriptions

The objective of this course is to introduce students to various aspects of global citizenship, global cultures and coexistence. Special emphasis is devoted to two important and interrelated questions. First, what are or what should be the roles, rights and responsibilities of individual and groups in an increasingly globalized world? Second, what are the implications of cultural plurality for a globalized world, and vice versa? Third, what forms and degrees of coexistence have emerged to date and will likely emerge in the future? This course will facilitate efforts of students to answer such questions.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note: Students with credit for IS 201.3 may not take this course for credit.

This zero credit unit course is designed to recognize global experiential learning acquired by students through various means deemed valid by the Program Coordinator, including: (a) studying abroad; (b) completing an internship abroad with a bona fide international, regional or local organization; or (c) working or serving abroad with any governmental or non-governmental agency or corporate entity. An alternative means of meeting the global experiential learning requirements of this course is to serve as an intern or a volunteer for at least sixty hours with any agency or company that deals with international issues, relations, immigrants, or international students, or any other organization that provides students with learning opportunities that provide them with valuable insights on global issues deemed valid by the Program Coordinator. Students will use their experience to contribute to a series of discussion boards during the term and participate in an end of term colloquia. This course will also provide students with materials and assignments related to cultural learning designed to develop what is commonly referred to as cultural competency.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Permission of the department is required.
Note:This is a required course in the Certificate in Global Studies program. Contact the Department of Political Studies for more information and permission to register.
Note: Students with credit for IS 202.0 may not take this course for credit.

Institutions shape the policies that governments in Canada adopt and the avenues through which political activists and advocacy groups can influence those policies. The course introduces students to the main structures and processes of Canadian government, including the Constitution, Parliament, cabinet, federalism, provincial governments, municipal governments, electoral systems, and First Nations' governments.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for POLS 203 may not take this course for credit.

How do Canada's diverse regional, political, and social identities shape its politics? How do Canadian parties and social movements navigate diverse political cultures and communities to shape change? What impact has Canada's unique political history, culture, and sociology had on the decisions made by governments and other political actors? This course introduces students to the societal context of Canadian political life, exploring the difficult compromises and contentious debates that shape a diverse Canadian society.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for POLS 203 may not take this course for credit.

This course provides an introduction to feminist political theory. It focuses specifically on feminist critiques of and responses to the Western political theory tradition. Political theories that have, in turn, responded to and expanded feminist interventions will also be introduced, such as perspectives rooted in Black feminist thought, queer theory, political economy, postcolonial studies and/or critical disability studies.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or 18 credit units at the university level including at least 3 credit units of ANTH, ENG, HIST, INDG, IS, POLS, RLST, SOC, or WGST.

What does it mean to be Indigenous? In what ways are Indigenous politics similar and different in the Global North and Global South? Which political issues dominate the landscape of contemporary Global Indigenous politics? While the course examines contemporary Indigenous politics in Canada, it privileges a more global and comparative perspective to explore the connections between the Global South (e.g. Africa, Asia, Latin America) and Global North (e.g. Australia, Europe, United States). More specifically, the course is organized around key sections which consider the following: the contentious politics of defining Indigeneity, the diverse historical experiences of Indigenous peoples, the politics around land and natural resources, and global challenges around Indigenous peoples' struggles in the areas of cultural survival and human rights. The course concludes by using a case study approach to consider the above issues in greater detail in select political contexts across Africa, Latin America, North America and Oceania.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or 18 credit units at the university level.

An analysis of existing and emerging systems of Indigenous governance and politics at the local, regional, provincial and national levels in Canada.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or INDG 107; or 60 credit units at university level.

An introduction to the basic structures, processes, and principles of public administration system at the national and sub-national levels in Canada. In addition to an introduction to the roles and responsibilities of various policy-making and implementation agencies, it also provides an introduction to regulatory and administrative law regimes.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for POLS 220 may not take this course for credit. This course is typically offered every second year.

How are policies developed and policy decisions made in Canada. This course introduces students to the conceptual and theoretical frameworks for describing and analyzing the nature, determinants, and effects of public policy in Canada. Special attention is devoted to genesis, evolution, and politics of some policies, such as population, Indigenous, immigration, intercultural relations, minority rights, social, education, and environmental, as well as others that students may wish to explore for a particular class assignment. The precise mix of policies that will receive special attention may vary over time.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for POLS 220 may not take this course for credit. This course is typically offered every second year.

An introduction to the ideas of key historical political theorists, including Plato, Aristotle, Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes. Emphasis will be placed on the emergence of their ideas in their historical context as well as on their ongoing relevance for politics today. Issues to be covered include the origins of political authority, the causes of stability and revolution, the nature of justice and the value of democracy.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for POLS 235 may not take this course for credit.

An introduction to political theory in the modern era. It will focus specifically on the development of liberal democratic thought and the responses of its critics. Key issues to be examined include the idea of equality, the nature of freedom and the concept of rights. Political theorists to be studied include John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Stuart Mill and Karl Marx.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110, POLS 111, POLS 112; or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for POLS 235 may not take this course for credit.

Ideology is undoubtedly one of the most important concepts in political science. This course examines the major ideologies of the 21st century that are transnational and global in nature. The course begins by defining the term “ideology” and exploring the different ways in which political scientists study it. It then moves on to the study of specific ideologies that are currently popular around the globe: liberalism, cosmopolitanism, secularism, multiculturalism, social democracy, radical leftism, feminism, environmentalism, communism, nationalism, fascism, conservatism, populist authoritarianism, and religious fundamentalism.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or 18 credit units at the university level

Introduces students to the conceptual and theoretical approaches to understanding the politics of developing countries on a comparative basis. Topics studied include the nature and role of an engaged civil society, as well as theoretical frameworks such as ’neo-patrimonialism’ to explain the nature of political relationships and political competition. An understanding of these conceptual and theoretical dimensions will enable students to analyze politics in any region of the developing world.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for POLS 246.6 may not take POLS 244.3 for credit.

This course provides an introduction to African politics by exploring a broad range of issues from both historical and contemporary perspectives. This includes an examination of the legacy of colonialism, the post-colonial state, nationalism and authoritarian rule, democratization, ethnic politics, political violence, post-conflict peace-building, and Africa's political and economic relations with the international community. While the course provides a survey of important themes related to African politics, it also draws upon the wider theoretical literature from political studies to ground the analyses in broader debates within the discipline.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for POLS 246.6 may not take POLS 245.3 for credit.

Examines the formal and informal processes of the American system of government. Topics include the institutions of the Presidency, the Congress, and the bureaucracy and their interaction, as well as the mass media, public opinion, political parties and interest groups.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or 18 credit units at the university.

Examines various theories in order to understand the state within a global context. Theories studied include liberalism, realism, pluralism, feminism, Marxism, as well as new theories such as ecologicalism.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for POLS 252 may not take this course for credit.

Focuses on the study of social movements and their roles in political change and stability. The course also explores the various theoretical approaches and concepts relevant to the study of social movements and collective behaviour.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for POLS 252 may not take this course for credit.

An introduction to political science research design, including research questions, sampling, and selected methods of data collection, and ethics.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for POLS 255 may not take this course for credit. This course is offered every second year.

An introduction to the dynamics of international politics. It introduces students to the evolution of international politics with a focus on major events and ideas in the development of the modern international system, with particular emphasis on political concepts, ideologies and theories regarding the nature, meaning and development of the international system.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for POLS 260 will not receive credit for this course. Non-refundable costs, in addition to tuition, apply to this course.

Examines major international and non-governmental organizations and institutions such as the UN, EU, NATO, Red Cross, Greenpeace as well as the role of traditional states to understand how they work and to assess their success in dealing with various issues that challenge the international community. The issues considered include conflict and security, the environment, human rights, humanitarian intervention, as well as economic development and well-being.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of IS 110, POLS 111, POLS 112; or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for POLS 260 will not receive credit for this course.

In the absence of a "world government", the international system is often characterized as anarchic. However, despite there being no overarching authority, international actors have developed international organizations, laws, and norms to provide rules and structures to manage transnational relations and contribute to the solutions for problems of global scope. While some view international organizations and law as simply a means by which powerful states pursue their own interests, others argue that international law has power beyond politics and can rein in self-interest and provide the means and methods for cooperation, coordination, and respect for human rights. This course introduces students to the history, design, and contemporary operations of some of the legal structures underpinning international relations, such as the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court, and explores how politics and law interact in shaping contemporary international relations and the lives of individuals globally.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Any two of POLS 110.3, POLS 111.3, POLS 112.3; or 18 credit units at the university level.

The Hague is considered the legal capital of the world and is home to many international courts, including the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. This study abroad course, in conjunction with its prerequisite, will consider the Netherlands’ history with atrocity and then examine how international legal institutions can provide the means and methods for international cooperation, coordination, and respect for human rights and human security. Politics, Public International Law, and Human Security will focus on the ways International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, and International Criminal Law work to protect individuals from the worst abuses. As an experiential learning course, students are able to pair what they learned in lecture with increased knowledge of the institutions housed in the Hague, and the international challenges they aim to address, from within their very walls.

Prerequisite(s): POLS 261.3 or POLS 263.3.
Note: Costs in addition to tuition will apply to this course. Please contact the department for details.

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations. Students interested in these courses should contact the department for more information.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations. Students interested in these courses should contact the department for more information.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours